Post-hole digger.



N0. 630,483. Patented Aug. 8, |899. R. W. BROOKS.

POST HOLE BIGGER.

(No Model.)

www

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT w. BRooKs'OE rARKERis GROVE, KENTUCKY,

POST-HOL BIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,483, dated August e", ieee.

Application iiled April 14, 1898.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT WV. BROOKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Parkers Grove, in the county of Larue and State of Kentucky, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Post-Hole Diggers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in post-hole diggers, and has for its object to provide an exceedingly simple and effective device of this description by the use of which a hole approximately the shape and size of the butt of the post may be formed and the dirt removed therefrom; and a further object of my invention is to so form such a device as to avoid the disturbing of the ground to an unnecessary degree,so that when the post is placed within the hole but little filling and tamping are needed.

With these ends in view this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements, as hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claim.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, the construction and operation will now be described in detail,referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a partof Vthis specification, in whichi Figure l is a perspective of a digger made in accordance with myimprovemen t, showing the ejector in its lowered position; and Fig. 2, a vertical section thereof, showing the body of the digger forced within the ground.

In carrying outmy invention as here einbodied, A represents the body vof the digger, which isvhere shown rectangular in shape, being approximately for ordinary work six by eight inches7 and consists of asuitable piece of metal bent or otherwise formed to this shape, having its top and bottom open,while one end thereof is also leftopen, as indicated at B, the object of which is to afford means for observing the dirt being removed from the hole. Shank-strips C are riveted or otherwise secured to the body of the digger and converge serial No. 677,534. (No model.)

ward within the handle and through a square hole in the lower end thereof, so as to assist in the guidance of the ejector. This rod also passes through thebrace II, which extends across the top of the body, said brace also serving as a stop for'limiting the upward and downward movement of the ejector, the latter movement being limited by the foot-piece I, which is attached to the rod G.

The operation of my improvement in practice is las follows: The location of the hole to be dug being selected ,thedigger is forced into the ground by a sudden blow or pressure after the manner of a spade, which process will force the ejector upward, and when the proper depth is reached the digger is lifted from the hole,drawin g with it the dirt inclosed therein, and this dirt is ejected from the digger by simply placing the foot upon the piece I and forcing the ejector downward.

One of the principal advantages of myimprovement is that a rectangular hole may be dug of any desired size without removing or disturbing an unnecessary amount of the dirt, as in the case of a round digger, since approximately the shape lof the butt-end of the post is formed in the ground and of approximately the size for the reception of said post, so that when the post is set but little filling in is neecled,\vhich renders the post more .firm than would otherwise be the case. A

The iiattened end E of the digger may be used for the loosening or removal of stones and the like.

I-Iaving thus fully described myinvention, what I claim as new and useful is- In combination with a body of the character described, a hollow handle having at the lower end inturned iianges, a rod slidable in the handle and guided by the anges, a brace extending from side to side of the body and having an aperture in which the rod is slidable, the said brace cooperating with the flanges of the handle in guiding the rod, an ejector on the rod, a foot-piece having a clamp adjustable on the rod, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereuntoV afxed my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT W. BROOKS.

Vitnesses:

M. C. MEARs, T. W. HoDGEs.

IOO 

